
After Day 2 of the India vs Australia 4th Test in Melbourne, most followers of the Rohit Sharma-led aspect would have feared for the worst. However, no. 8 Nitish Kumar Reddy and No. 9 Washington Sundar rose to the problem to provide India an incredible probability. India nonetheless path Australia by 116 runs however with two days remaining, likelihood is that India may be capable to save the Test match. It will likely be nice contemplating the World Test Championship closing qualification situation.
Currently, South Africa is No. 1 within the race for WTC closing, adopted by Australia and India. If India win the sequence 3-1, they are going to mechanically qualify for the elite event closing. But even when India lose or draw the 4th Test in Melbourne, they will nonetheless qualify for the WTC closing. In that case, Rohit Sharma’s males should keenly look ahead to the outcomes of two take a look at sequence – South Africa vs Pakistan and Sri Lanka vs Australia.
Here are the complete situations for India’s qualification:
Nitish Kumar Reddy emerged because the hero for India on day three of the Boxing Day Test by hitting a shocking maiden Test century to steer the hosts’ cost in entrance of 83, 073 followers on the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Playing in simply his fourth Test match, Reddy was astute in his strokeplay – each on back and front foot, whereas being strong in defence, temperament, utility and composure as he joined forces with fellow all-rounder Washington Sundar, who hit a affected person fifty. and have become the right second foil.
The duo got here collectively when India have been 221/7 within the first session and stitched a decisive 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket. The pitch flattening out additionally helped the duo hold Australia at bay as India ended day three at 358/9 in 116 overs and trailed by 116 runs.
With his father Mutyala, having a relentless prayer in direction of God, uncle and different relations watching eagerly from the entrance seats within the stands, Reddy introduced up an emotional century in 171 deliveries by means of a lofted on-drive off Scott Boland.
As quickly because the hundred was confirmed, Reddy dropped right down to his knees and raised his arm upward to look as much as the heavens after putting his helmet on the deal with of his bat (a reference to the Baahubali film), earlier than soaking within the second of hitting his first Test century in entrance of his household, together with his father in tears and thanking God with folded arms in direction of the skies at an iconic venue.
Reddy additionally grew to become the primary Indian batsman to smash a Test century in Australia after popping out to bat at quantity eight or decrease. Nine balls after Reddy obtained his century, unhealthy gentle and later drizzle pressured each groups to go off the sphere, with the right-handed batter holding his bat aloft and soaking in all of the appreciation from his teammates and spectators on the MCG.
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